The Phantom of Manhattan

"The Phantom of Manhattan" is a 1999 novel by Frederick Forsyth, intended as a sequel to "The Phantom of the Opera" (the Lloyd Webber musical, not the original book).

Forsyth's literary concept is that Gaston Leroux had recorded factual events but, in review, had apparently not checked his facts or viewed his sources with a critical eye. Accordingly the novel can be read as both a tribute to the Lloyd Webber musical and a satire of period novels in the vein of George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman series (both a satire and exploration of Victorian history and stories).

The beginning of "The Phantom of Manhattan" is narrated by an ailing Madame Giry, and set in the early 1900s. Famous individuals of the time, such as Theodore Roosevelt, make appearances. According to the story, Christine has married Raoul, and the couple have a son named Pierre. The Phantom has become a very rich theatre owner in New York and writes an opera hoping to lure Christine to play the lead. The story also provides details about the Phantom's past and his relationship with Madame Giry not contained in the original novel and musical. There is also the introduction of a new character called Darius, a greedy man who often assists the Phantom, and to whom the Phantom has promised to leave the opera house after his death. That promise is tested by Christine's arrival in New York, but Darius is determined to own the opera house himself.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is currently at work on a stage sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. It will be called , and is at least partially based on The Phantom of Manhattan.

Although intended to be the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, it was given a new name for the sequel.

The book however, is generally received badly by "Phans", as they think the story is mainly an insult to Gaston Leroux's and Susan Kay's versions.